Alcohol Possession and Abuse Prevention

Alcohol may be a common feature at formal and informal functions of your student organization such as happy hours after a weekly meeting, parties after an all-day service project, or cocktail parties with alumni donors or prospective members. A study conducted at UT in 2004 by the Harvard School of Public Health found seven negative consequences associated with alcohol including hangover, regretting behavior, missing class, blacking out (or memory loss), arguing with friends, getting behind in school work, and having unplanned sex. In addition, students and student organizations increasingly have to deal with possible criminal charges, civil liability and university discipline associated with alcohol. It is important to be realistic about alcohol and its role on your organization, our campus and community.

Below are educational resources that officers (authorized representatives) of registered student organizations can use to enhance internal discussions and risk management efforts and help ensure the safety of the entire membership.

Reporting an Incident

Amnesty

Under the Student Amnesty for Alcohol Emergencies program students who seek emergency medical assistance for themselves or others will not face formal disciplinary action. Here's how it works:

Student(s) calls 911 when alcohol poisoning is present or suspected. Student(s) stay with the person and cooperates with all emergency personnel.

Students will be referred to Student Judicial Services.

Student(s) will be evaluated for Amnesty by Student Judicial Services.

Students eligible for Amnesty will still be required to participate in an educational component and may be referred for an individual consultation, however they will not face formal disciplinary action.

Students who receive Amnesty who decline or fail to attend the educational component or fail to comply with the counselor's recommendations will become subject to formal disciplinary action.